On the Move Fitness and Wellness, goal is clear, helping people be fit and healthy

When On The Move Fitness and Wellness opens in October, area residents will have a place to get in shape while having fun! Amber Roberge is putting the final touches on transforming an empty storefront at 161 Ocean St. into a Zumba (R) Fitness studio. Amber is shooting for an Oct. 19 grand opening. When the new studio opens it will end several years of her traveling from site to site teaching Zumba, a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program started by Beto Perez in 2001. Since 2001 hundreds of thousands of people, including Amber, have taken to Zumba (R) Fitness as a way to have fun while exercising.

Amber, a resident of Portland, began taking Zumba classes in 2007 and became a licensed Zumba R) Fitnesinstructor in 2010. In 2011 she left her corporate job to expand her career as a Zumba (R) Fitness instructor and health & wellness consultant. She continues to teach a few classes in South Portland at Elm Street United Methodist Church until her studio opens.

On the Move Fitness and Wellness owner Amber Roberge “Instead of traveling to all these other locations, I am bringing it all to one space so I can combine fitness and health & wellness together,” Amber said. She said she hopes doing so will allow her to continue to introduce

Zumba (R) Fitness to more people in the area.

“People love Zumba (R) Fitness because it is really fun and it does not feel like exercise at all.” It is Latin-inspired, but now includes music from all over the world. Zumba (R) classes have more of a party atmosphere and doesn’t feel like a chore like it sometimes does for people when they work out.”

Aside from helping to tone muscles and burn calories, Amber said Zumba (R) is a great stress reliever. She learned this first hand. “It is really way more than just great exercise. I remember going through a difficult time in my life and I so looked forward to going to class. That was my time to forget about my troubles and have some fun. That is what Zumba (R) Fitness does for so many. It allows people to leave their troubles at the door, and have some fun as they relieve stress.”

The exact schedule has not yet been determined, but Amber will offer several classes a day in a variety of Zumba styles, including traditional Zumba (R) Fitness, Zumbatomics for children, Zumba (R) class for beginners, Zumba (R) Toning for muscle strengthening and toning, classes set to Gospel music from around the world and one that has a dance club feel. The classes offered will be for both beginners and those who may be more experienced.

“I often hear people say that they are no coordinated enough or need to lose weight before they come to a Zumba class.” Amber said. “They fear they will walk into a class of skinny, coordinated people and they will be judged. That could not be farther from the truth! These classes are for people of all ages, skills and experiences, and many people have improved their coordination and experienced weight loss through Zumba (R) classes.”

“It is not about getting the moves down perfectly,” she continued. “I only have two rules for my classes. One: keep moving; and two: have fun!”

Amber said she was drawn to the Mill Creek area and wanted to locate her business in that section of South Portland. “I wanted to be in this area of South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. I love the small town feel and sense of community found here and I hope that my studio contributes to that.”

The goal for her business is simple. “I want to focus all my energies on helping people be fit and healthy,” she said. In addition to fitness, she will also be offering health & wellness workshops at the studio.

To help get the public familiar with what Amber will be offering in her studio, She is planning a grand opening on Oct. 19th where there will be a healthy happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. with raffles and networking with local businesses. From 7 to 9 p.m., Amber will be leading a Zumba class that features live music by the well-known Stream Reggae band.